KERATOCYSTIC ODONTOGENIC TUMOR-CYST OR TUMOR

Background- Genetic and molecular research regarding odontogenic tumors, and KCOTs in particular, has led to an increasing amount of knowledge and understanding of their physio-pathological pathways.A review of the biological behaviour of this recognized aggressive pathological entity of the jaws and a contemporary outline of the molecular (growth factors, p53, PCNA and Ki-67, bcl-2) and genetic (PTCH,SHH) alterations associated with this odontogenic neoplasm provides a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in its development and strengthen the current concept that the KCOT should, indeed, be regarded as a neoplasm.